Favorite books from your childhood

A post on another blog made me start thinking about my favorite childhood books. I commented on how much I enjoyed reading Richard Scarry books (especially What Do People Do All Day?) when I was a kid. I also loved all the Dr. Seuss books (who didn't?). I especially love reading these books to my children, who love them every bit as much as I do.

It always amazes me how well a good book ages, and it's the same with children's books as it is with literature for us grown-ups. Children's books are also very revealing of how things have changed over the years - I love the descriptions of how things like the mail, airports, etc work in the Richard Scarry books from almost 30 years ago.

OK, I'm getting too nostalgic now. Time for you to share - what are some of the books that bring you back to your childhood?

Robeez sold to Stride Rite

Two of my wife's favorite shoe companies are joining forces, as BC-based Robeez was purchased by US-based Stride Rite. Each of our kids have worn Robeez at one point or another; I think the first pair for our oldest was a pink pair with butterflies on top.

Robeez sold to Stride Rite

Sandra Wilson founded Stride Rite in her basement in 1994, where she ripped apart a purse to make a pair of shoes that would fit well on her son Robert's feet. Over the next 12 years, the company would grow into a 400 person operation with $15 million in sales per year. It's now a household name in many homes with young children, and the envy of many basement businesses today. :-)

Protecting your baby from germs while shopping

According to a study done by the Korea Consumer Protection Board, shopping cart handles had more bacteria per square inch than computer mice in internet cafes, hand straps on buses, and even public restroom doorknobs. For more information, see this article:

Eww! Shopping cart handles loaded with germs

Don't feel like dousing the Wal-Mart shopping cart with Purell every time you put your baby in it? (Or more accurately, you DO feel like it but restrain yourself?) My newest favorite item is the shopping cart cover - it's cozy, sanitary and super cute! Keep those little hands clean and protected. My 8 month old looks like a doll riding around in hers!

I make my own handcrafted shopping cart covers, which I'll be selling in the Sushiberry Baby store soon. If you're interested in my shopping cart covers, please drop me a line at sales@sushiberry.com.

The best time to buy everything (including baby clothes)

Here's an article from Smart Money that talks about the best time to buy various different things, including Baby Clothes. If you just received the happy news that you're pregnant, now is a great time to buy newborn summer clothes. You'll be able to buy them at close out prices in most stores, and you'll be ready for your baby to wear them when he or she is born next summer.

The Best Time to Buy Everything

Of course, as you likely don't know if you're having a boy or a girl, you'll need to hedge your bets and buy either gender-neutral clothing, or go wild and buy both boy and girl clothing. :-)

Japan's Princess Kiko gives birth

The succession crisis is over: Japan's Princess Kiko gave birth to a baby boy yesterday. There was much talk leading up to the birth that Japan's government was considering changing the succession laws to allow a female heir to take the throne, as currently only male heirs to the Emperor can. I would hope that this consideration continues despite the fact that the immediate "crisis" is over.

I'm surprised that the world media didn't go this crazy when my nephew, Ethan, was born about 6 weeks ago. :-)

Study shows that fat toddlers become fat children

A study published in this month's issue of the journal Pediatrics reported that toddlers that are overweight before their fifth birthday are at least 5 times as likely to be overweight at age 12. The more times that a toddler is overweight by age 5, the more likely they would be overweight when they reach 12 years of age.

Excess 'baby fat' linked to teen obesity

<Stepping on to my soapbox>

I don't have a study in a peer-reviewed journal to back this up, but toddlers that are overweight are likely overweight because of not enough physical activity or because of an unhealthy diet. If the parents are not ensuring that their three year olds are physically active and healthy, they probably won't be when their kids are twelve years old. It's up to us as parents to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle for our children!

<Stepping off my soapbox>

The benefits of babywearing

My wife and I have gone through several slings and other baby carriers with our four kids. Our kids have been very content to snuggle up with us in their slings while we cook, do chores, garden, or anything else we would normally not be able to do while carrying a baby. It's always amazed me how long our little barnacles would sit, lay or sleep contently in our sling, and many of them are comfortable enough that you almost don't notice that you have a baby attached to you.

This page lists lots of information about babywearing:

Great Things About Babywearing

For example,

- Babies cry less
- Helps newborns to adapt to life outside the womb
- Children are more likely to be independent at an earlier age

The page cites many peer-reviewed scientific studies that include information about the benefits of babywearing and attachment parenting. Sounds like there are some great reasons why our kids have been so content in their slings!

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Diapers made from genetically engineered corn

Ingeo, a fiber "made largely from genetically engineered corn", is touted as an alternative to fabrics like polyester and nylon that are made from oil. According to this article, diapers are already being made from Ingeo in Europe.

Biotech a good fit for clothing industry

Genetically engineered crops are of course controversial. Obviously products like this help to reduce dependence on oil, and the biotech industry maintains that genetic engineering will produce crops that require fewer pesticides. However, some are opposed to genetic engineering on the grounds that there could be unforeseen consequences to the environment.

Organic baby products growing in popularity

We've been feeding our babies organic baby food for years, and organic clothing has been increasing in popularity for adults. According to this article, organic cloth diapers and clothing for babies is starting to take off as well.

Green baby

It's nice to see that babies are getting some attention from organic clothing makers. It's scary to think of all the pesticides and other chemicals that come into contact with our children due to the processes involved in the growing of non-organic cotton and other materials used in the making of clothing.

Cloth diapers take the cake

Here's an interesting idea for a gift at a baby shower - a cake made out of cloth diapers.

How to make a Diaper Cake